You know it’s a big week when the coaches get a little testy. Reporter on the weekly Big Ten teleconference: “Just to be clear, you expect Connor Cook to play?” Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio: “Just to be clear, we don’t talk about injuries.” Just to be clear, Saturday’s Michigan State-Ohio State game has massive implications. Let’s examine 10 things you should know about it: 1. What’s cookin’? Cook got slammed down Saturday against Maryland and was seen wincing and massaging his right shoulder. He got pulled after completing just 6 of 20 passes, with Dantonio saying he “didn’t have the arm strength.” Cook, 32-4 as a starter and the Big Ten’s No. 2-rated quarterback behind Indiana’s Nate Sudfeld, said his shoulder “is good. There’s no issue with that.” Backup Tyler O’Connor directed the Spartans on two touchdown drives Saturday, but could they win without Cook? “You have to have the all-time winningest quarterback in the program in that environment in Columbus,” ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit, a former Ohio State quarterback, told the Tribune on Tuesday in Chicago. “They need their leader. …
Continue Reading: Season at stake for each in Michigan State-Ohio State face-off
